Yard Act :: You're Gonna Need A Little Music

UK indie band Yard Act just released their new album You're Gonna Need A Little Music July the 17th. Digging the record, particularly the title track. The lead singer's voice reminds me a bit of Jarvis Cocker and Leonard Cohen. They have that indie rock vibe of the early 2000's on lock.  

Check out their video for their new single 'New Beginnings' below, plus 'You're Gonna Need A Little Music'. If you dig those go check out the rest of album wherever you get your music. 

Tycho & Paul Banks :: Boundary Rider

 

Heard this song today "Boundary Rider" on Sirius by Tycho & Paul Banks from Interpol and I loved it! I knew it was Paul, his voice is so distinctive. Seems it's been out a a few months released in October of 2025. Maybe if you're like me you may have missed it. Check out that goodness below. 

PS Interpol is on tour and will be in Miami on March the 7th at the James L Knight Center. Tickets have been acquired. Can't wait for that. Maybe we will get some new music to go along with the tour? One can only hope.

  

Arctic Monkeys :: Opening Night

 Arctic Monkeys are back with their first new music in four years titled "Opening Night" which they did for the forthcoming War Child benefit compilation 'Help (2)' and it is excellent! The compilation will also feature new tracks from bands such as Depeche Mode, Wet Leg, Damon Albarn, Pulp, Beth Gibbons, Fontaines DC, Foals, The Last Dinner Party and many other amazing artists. Can't wait to hear that! 

For now check out the first track from it below. 

Dry Cleaning :: Secret Love

London based band Dry Cleaning who I first heard about via their amazing track "Scratchcard Lanyard" about five years ago are back with album number three 'Secret Love'. It was just released this past Friday, January the 9th. Upon quick listen it seems like they continue with their trademark sound of post punk sounds whilst their lead singer Florence Shaw spouts off lyrics of her daily observations, which always makes for a cool combination.  

Seems they are putting out videos for all their tracks with fans dancing around in each of them. Check out a couple of those below including my current favorite track and album opener "Hit My Head All Day" , plus "Joy". If you like what you hear be sure to check out the rest of the album.

The Twilight Sad :: It's the Long Goodbye

Scottish band The Twilight Sad is getting ready to release new album 'It's The Long Goodbye' on March the 27th, 2026. Their sixth album and first new one since 2019's 'It Won't Be Like This All the Time'. The first two tracks they've released so far "Waiting for the Phone Call" and most recently "Designed to Lose" are absolute fire! They remind me of a mixture of early The Cure and Joy Division, but still with a powerful sound all their own. Robert Smith is a big fan having them open for them on a bunch of tours. Have a feeling this album will be in the running for best albums of 2026. 

Check out those two tracks/videos below, then mark your calendar for a treat March the 27th.

Jaialai :: Chariot

Miami band Jaialai who we wrote about their excellent debut single "Pink Motion" last year here sent us their new single "Chariot". It's a cool shoegazey tune and it features a sweet 360' video for it. They recorded the song earlier this year with Carlos Imperatori (Fabulosos Cadillacs producer) and it features Didi Gutman from Brazilian Girls on keyboards. Lead singer Oscar tells us "The song is about finding happiness after being disillusioned". You know, shit most people can relate too.

Check out that video/tune below...

Franz Ferdinand :: Always Ascending

I know indie rock is dead, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Franz Ferdinand. I was obsessed with their self titled 2004 debut album which gave us the forever classic "Take Me Out" (which still works on the dance floor). I happy to report they are back! They just released new single "Always Ascending" from their upcoming album also titled Always Ascending being released February 9th 2018. It is everything I remember from Franz Ferdinand. Jangly guitars, catchy choruses, their lead singers amazing voice, but mainly just a whole lot of fun! You can find all those ingredients in first single "Always Ascending". Good to know they haven't lost it.

The Horrors :: V

Been a fan of London's The Horrors for many years. An amazing band that always seems to re-invent themselves from album to album. For their latest appropriately titled 5th album V they got a great new wave vibe going, especially for the first track that caught our attention "Something to Remember Me By". Then the rest of the album sucks you in. They incorporate many different tempos and styles. Some slow, some heavier like first single "Machine", but all excellent! Some of our other favorite tracks include : "Point of No Reply", "Weighed Down", and the majestic "It's a Good Life". Definitely their best and most accessible album to date! This should be making a splash on many best album lists for 2017 come December. 

Check out the videos for"Something to Remember Me By" and "Machine" below, if you dig these we recommend you delve deeper into the beauty that is V.

The Strokes :: Threat of Joy (Video) + New EP

The Strokes (who I will forever love) have a new EP out called Future Present Past. They just released a video for the track "Threat of Joy" from the EP which is classic them and pretty entertaining.

Check that out below...

Blondfire :: True Confessions (Video)

Ran into this great indie rock video in my feed for LA band Blondfire's track "True Confessions". A great rollicking indie rock jam that reminds me of the mid 2000's and bands like The Sounds. Miss those days! Check out the classic live band video shoot for the track below.

P.S. If you wanna check out more from Blondfire, we posted about them a couple times before back in 2012 and a video premiere for "Where the Kids Are" in 2011.    

New Weezer :: Do You Wanna Get High? / Thank God for Girls

Grew up a fan of Weezer, so I was pretty psyched when I heard their new single "Do You Wanna Get High?" today. Reminds of those amazing 90's albums I grew up listening to of theirs. Seems they also released another track/video not too long ago called "Thank God for Girls". They say they are not actively working on a new album, “but are open to dinner dates with A&R representatives.” Someone take these boys to dinner!

Check out those new tunes below...

House of Creatives :: Brazilian Girls + Miami Beach with a Flask Playlist by Jay Thomas of Bluejay

Excited to be a part of this great collaborative event called House of Creatives going on Friday November the 6th from 5-10 pm at North Beach Bandshell on Miami Beach. Not only does it feature a Live Performance by the totally awesome Brazilian Girls, but they also incorporated a great line up of local Miami talent like : The Hongs, Millionyoung, Bluejay and the Grey 8's.

In addition to the bands performances there will also be art installations and DJ Sets, including one by yours truly representing Off the Radar, Aramis Lorie from PopLife and Patrick Walsh from Klangbox. They also got a bunch of cool local independent businesses/blogs/shops & WVUM to get on board, which is pretty cool!

To get you psyched for the event we got Jay Thomas of Bluejay to put together a little playlist which he titled 'Miami Beach with a Flask', featuring some of his favorite tracks by other Miami bands/artists, including some which will be performing at this event. It's a Miami love fest!

Check out that playlist below, as well as his comments regarding each of his selections.

The Facebook invite for the event is over here. Tickets available here.   

Millionyoung - Lovin
"Lovin those dance moves!"

Krisp - Mamani Vice
"Krisp! They absolutely killed it at III Points."

WOMANMAY - Her Touch
"I adore the psychedelic pockets of WOMANMAY's music and voice. She just moved from Miami to NYC so NYC peeps show her some love"

Afrobeta - Dream About You
"The newest single by one of Miami's favorite electro-pop duos. Lovely song!"

Emily Sheila - If You Want
"Emily Sheila lives music and contributes a lot to Miami's music scene and community. Her passion can come through a ukulele, a full band show, or an electronic track like this!"

Bluejay - Love Me
"This song is about fear of anal sex and commitment."

Virgo - Tides of Neptune
"Virgo is like a dance club in the depths of the ocean. Her spell is strong."

Seafoam Walls - PROGR4M.wav
"Jayan, who is also a member of Kazoots and a bunch of other projects, is a talented musician and a brilliant thinker. I'm a fan of it all."

The Hongs - Giv it All
"This is such a gorgeous song!"

Grey 8s - Eye to Eye
"We love these boys. Eye to Eye is epic and haunted, the way I like it."

Editors :: In Dream

Digging the new Editors album In Dream, about Dreams. Been a fan of the Editors since the early days. I was blown away by a show I saw of them here in Miami at Studio A in 00's. This new album goes from dark-slow-atmospheric stuff like "No Harm", to synthy/dancey stuff like "Life is a Fear" and "Our Love", and I'm digging it all! Lead singer Tom Smith's voice is in top form! 

Check out the video's for "Life is a Fear" and "No Harm" below. The album's out now at the usual retailers like iTunes.

Clovis Points :: Razz

One door closes and another opens, that is the case with our buddy Oscar (formerly of Crown Company) and his new band Clovis Points which features Kasey Varga on drums, Roger Del Pino of Miami electronic duo, Monterrey on bass and Oscar Sardinia on guitar and vocals. They sent over their first track "Razz" and we are digging it! It has a distinctive 90's alternative rock sound like the one's we grew up listening to. It would be great to get a resurgence of that style. Love Oscar's vocals! Can't wait to hear what else they come up with. They are a brand new band after all.

Check out first track "Razz" which if you like, they are giving away as a free download.

FFS :: FFS

I was on a bit of a Franz Ferdinand kick the other day when I discovered they have a new album about to come out (don't you just love when that happens), a collaborative album with LA duo Sparks which they have aptly named FFS. Heard a few tracks and I'm digging it! I like the dual back and forth vocals, and the sound which is a bit more theatrical. Two things that I like. They are streaming the entire self titled album on NPR with the record being released June 9th.

Check out the soundcloud/video for "Johnny Delusional" from the album below. Then be sure to pick this baby up.

Tremends :: The Ones

Everything in music cycles, just like in fashion and most other things. At the moment guitars aren't very fashionable. There aren't too many great indie rock bands out there, but that could change quickly and almost assuredly will in the not too distant future. All it takes is one amazing guitar record creating a buzz like The Strokes did with their 2001 debut album Is This It. Then bam there will be tons of guitar bands cropping up everywhere.

That being said here are some guys ahead of the curve from our very own back yard called Tremends. They sent us their new single "The Ones" and it is excellent! It gives me a very indie rock/brit-pop feel. Like they could easily be coming from somewhere in England or Europe. Nope Miami it is, and they are awesome!

Check out the tune below, and if you dig it they are giving the track away as a Free Download! Get it.

Krisp :: 167 (Premiere!)

Out good friends over at Gummdrops wanted us to premiere the new track "167" by Miami band Krisp and of course we had to oblige. Been a huge fan of this band for years! They always bring it, and this new track is no exception. Rocking indie jam with amazing riffs. Best part is they are giving away the track for free, along with a few more great tracks from other excellent Miami bands like Hunters of the Alps, Shanghai Meow and Bluejay. Check out the goods on Gummdrops bandcamp.

P.S. If you live in the South Florida area Krisp will be rocking the carpet at Bardot this coming Friday, January 16th. Best check that out!

The Hongs :: The Sounds / Ms Understandings

Our good friends in Miami indie/electro-pop band The Hongs just released a double sided single featuring two new tracks. The a side is "The Sounds" and the b side is "Ms Understandings". Digging them both, but particularly loving the a side "The Sounds". Such an amazing track! Possibly their best yet, and they have some incredible songs in their repertoire. These guys consistently put out great music and amazing live shows. They never cease to amaze me when I catch them. It's a wonder they are not a huge national act by now. Soon enough I am sure.

Speaking of live performances, The Hongs are set for a busy weekend starting Tonight (10/9) when they will be playing at the beautiful historic renovated venue Ball & Chain. Then Friday (10/10) at Kill Your Idol on South Beach, and finally Sunday (10/12) as part of the III Points Festival at 10:15PM. I recommend you catch them at any or all of these events if you are in the South Florida area. You will not be disappointed.

P.S. Smurphio from Afrobeta and Aaron Johnston from Brazilian Girls who are part of the band will be in town and performing with them for all the shows this weekend! Extra psyched points!

Soko :: Love Letter

Photo Credit :: Ward + Kweskin
It is incredible how much music is out there and how much stuff falls through the cracks, even when you are a die hard music fans like we are at OTR. Last night as I was chatting with my buddy Steve from Pure Honey (who does a fabulous job spreading the gospel of good music for many years by the way), started talking to me about this artist that he loves called Soko. Apparently she's been around for many years (2007) and is also an actress. She is getting ready to release her sophomore album and is on tour now opening for Foster the People. Who we get to see here in Miami Beach at the Fillmore on Thursday, October the 16th.

He showed me her new single "Love Letter" and it is pretty amazing! According to Steve it is a lot more synthy, dark and reverby than her previous album, but that happens to be many of the things I love. Great new single that got me really interested in checking out her show and that new album when it's released.

Check out that excellent new single "Love Letter" below which Pure Honey is offering as a free download (along with many other great stuff every month). Plus a real cool artsy lyric video they did for it.

P.S. If you like the track and wanna learn more about her, be sure to check out this great interview Pure Honey did with her here.

TV on the Radio :: Happy Idiot

Absolutely loving the new TV on the Radio single "Happy Idiot" from their upcoming album 'Seeds' being released Nov 18th. Super high energy jam about a break up with their trademark style, except maybe with a slightly more accessible sound. It should definitely help them pull in a few more fans than the die hards they already have. Love the ignorance is bliss lyrics. Cannot wait to hear the rest of that album, sure it will be amazing.

Check out the lyric video for the track below, plus an extended version I found online that Wes Wallace put together which is slightly longer and with a cool little synth solo added at the end.